Sunday, December 27, 2009

Wow! what a busy year for battlefield preservation. If all of these deals can come to fruition, 2009 might be said to be the greatest year of battlefield preservation to date. Up for purchase is an 11 acre tract at Glendale battlefield. Please donate to Civil War Preservation Trust, and help preserve these important places for the future. Here is the link to the Glendale opportunity.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Report of Col. Bryan Grimes, Fourth North Carolina Infantry, of the battle of Boonsborough.
October 13, 1862.In compliance with your order of this morning, I submit the following report as to the part taken by the Fourth Regiment North Carolina State Troops in the engagement on Sunday, September 14:At 3.30 a.m. were ordered to march down the turnpike toward Boonsborough, and, upon approaching that town, were drawn up on the hills adjacent in line of battle, in which position we remained an hour or two, when we were ordered to continue our advance by the flank down the turnpike. Upon arriving at the summit of the mountain, were filed on a left-hand road, which overlooked the enemy’s approach. The Fourth Regiment, together with the Second, was here detached, under command of Colonel Tew, to go to the support of General Garland, then engaging the enemy on the right of the turnpike. Upon joining on to General Garland’s left wing, Colonel Tew saw the necessity for re-enforcements to our left, and requested Captain Grimes to return and report the fact to General Anderson or General Hill. Captain Grimes has never been heard from since. Whether he delivered the message or not I have been unable to learn. After remaining in this position for perhaps half an hour, the enemy in front, from 100 to 200 yards distant, and my best marksmen shooting them whenever they appeared, I have reasons to believe they killed several, when an order was received to flank to the left, which was done. After remaining in our new position nearly an hour, we were ordered to move more to our left, which order was complied with, joining on to the right of the regiments of our own brigade, leaving an interval of from 300 to 400 yards unoccupied between our right and General Garland’s left wing, which fact was reported immediately. Our two regiments, together with the Thirteenth North Carolina, were flanked for some distance to the right and formed in line of battle at right angles with our former position, and advanced for some distance up the side of the mountain, but, not finding the enemy, were recalled and carried still farther to the right, and, forming in line of battle, moved up the mountain, and upon reaching the summit discovered a battery of the enemy in a corn-field and supported by infantry. We made a charge upon the battery, but were repulsed. Falling back and reforming, when, now too dark to proceed, were ordered down for the night.I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
Bryan Grimes,
Colonel Fourth North Carolina State Troops.
Lieut. V.E. Turner,

Hdqrs. Fourth North Carolina State Troops
June 5, 1862.Colonel: In accordance with General Orders, No.--, I have the honor most respectfully to submit the following report as embracing the action of the regiment under my command during the battle of May 31.After marching to the field agreeably to orders, when near the Williamsburg road the enemy commenced an enfilading fire from a battery stationed in the road, concealed by the woods. I then filed my regiment to the left and brought it into line of battle, and ordered it to lie down until the other regiments of the brigade moved up. Just as the next regiment reached us a courier arrived from the front calling for re-enforcements, and you ordered me forward. The woods were very thick and water deep in ponds from recent rains, in places waist-deep. The enemy, during our advance through the woods, playing upon us with canister and shell, it was impossible to keep an accurate alignment; halted at the edge of the woods, rectified the alignment as near as possible before uncovering my men, and then ordered them to advance, which was through a thick and entangled abates, formed by felling the trees in opposite directions, which was difficult and tedious to march through. At this time I first saw the redoubt of the enemy about half a mile in front, and somewhat to the right, of my center, which caused me to right-oblique my command. The enemy also had a section of a battery (two pieces) which was dealing destruction to my left wing, while my center and right wing were being mowed down by grape and canister from the redoubt; but the men steadily advanced in admirable order. The enemy fled from the field pieces on my left, and we then concentrated our whole attention to the redoubt. Between this entangled brush-wood and the redoubt was a plowed field, rendered very miry by the late rains, in which the men would mire ankle deep at every step; through this we continued our way. Other regiments at this time were emerging from the thicket both on my right and left, when I gave the order to charge upon the redoubt, which was done by my men in gallant style. When within about 100 yards of the redoubt my horse was killed, catching me under him in his fall. Assisstance came and I was extricated uninjured, when we rushed on. When within 30 or 40 yards of the redoubt I saw that we were 200 yards in advance of any other regiment and thought best to fall back to a ditch midway between the redoubt and entangled woods, which I ordered, and the regiment retired in good order; but the color-bearer misunderstanding the order, fell back beyond the ditch to this entangled brush. Those who had taken cover in the ditch then followed the colors, which were then halted, and all ordered to lie down, being still within 250 yards of the redoubt.About this time our battery arrived and commenced playing upon the enemy. As an evidence of the severity of the fire of the enemy while in front of the battery 46 of my men were found killed within an area of one acre. After allowing my men time to recover from their fatigue, just then I saw my third color-bearer shot down. Captain Simonton and myself rushed up to raise the colors. Captain Simonton, reaching them first, placed them in my hands, raising them aloft, calling upon my men to rally around their standard. It was done with alacrity, and, together with several other regiments, we reached the redoubt, the enemy fleeing.About 300 yards distant to the left I saw two regiments of the enemy drawn up in line of battle, protected and partially concealed by woods. I faced my men to the left and double-quicked them through an open field to reach a cover of the same woods, but before reaching it I saw breastworks to my right thrown up, which the enemy were leaving, and ordered my men to move by the right flank and get behind their breastworks, firing upon them during the while, which was continued until I saw a regiment of ours marching to the left to attack them. I ordered them to cease firing for fear of shooting our friends. In a short time we were ordered forward to support a regiment in front and to our right, which was done. While at this spot, of my four officers who had followed the flag through the day two were shot--Captain Simonton killed instantly and Captain Wood very seriously wounded. From here we were ordered to fall back from the breastworks, and in a short time it became dark, and orders arrived for me to retire to the road. Just before doing so I ordered them to count the number then present, which was 54, whose names should be most honorably mentioned.Particularly conspicuous among them for coolness and deeds of daring were Lee A. Steel, of Company B; Robert Peel, of Company D, and Robert Gibbons, of Company E. It is impossible for me to obtain the names of those who acted with more than common gallantry in the first and hottest part of the engagement, as the company officers, who had better opportunity of noticing them, are absent wounded, consequently many deserving of honorable mention would be left out. My situation during the action was particularly called to the daring and gallant conduct of the adjutant (Thomas L. Perry), whose services were invaluable to me; since died of his wounds.No braver men died that day than Captain Barnes of Company F, and Lieutenant White, of Company C, who were killed while leading their men up to the breastworks; but where all acted so well, with perhaps one or two exceptions, who failed to keep up, it is almost impossible to say who behaved with most gallantry, as reference to the list of casualties will show, leaving the encampment with 29 officers, 23 of them being killed and wounded.All else occurred under your own eye, which it is unnecessary for me to mention.I am, colonel, most respectfully, your obedient servant,Bryan Grimes,Major, Commanding Fourth Regiment N.C. State Troops.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Report of Col. Daniel H. Christie, Twenty-third North Carolina Infantry.
Hdqrs. Twenty-third North Carolina Troops,
June 2, 1862.I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment (the Twenty-third North Carolina) in the battle of Seven Pines, on the 31st ultimo:The regiment was formed in line of battle, occupying the center of the brigade, at about 1.30 p.m., and moved at the command by right of battalions to the front, endeavoring to preserve regimental distance on our right for the Thirty-eighth Virginia. Owing to the change of direction of the road to the left, along which the right of the brigade was ordered to move and the thickly wooded ground through which we passed, I soon found that my command and the Twenty-fourth Virginia were moving on converging instead of parallel lines. I notified Major Maury immediately, but a heavy firing in front indicating the skirmishers would soon be overpowered, I was obliged to bring my command rapidly into line of battle before he had time to gain distance for me. This caused some disorder, which embarrassed me no little, but through the energy of Majors Maury and Christian the line was completed. We were now suffering from a heavy skirmishers’ fire, but pressed on through swamp and thicket, officers and men exerting themselves to the utmost to overcome the obstacles in their line of march and obeying strictly the order to reserve their fire. As we neared the edge of the abates a terrific fire from the opposite side opened [on] us, which we returned with effect. The fight here for some minutes was stubborn in the extreme. The felled timber was an almost insuperable obstacle to a successful charge against a firm line, and I waited the auspicious moment when they should waver. At this juncture a regiment on my right was ordered to fall back and reform. The order reaching the ears of my company commanders on the right wing, they mistook it for mine, and commenced putting it into execution. That moment I felt to be pregnant with the most disastrous consequences to my command, but by the quick, intelligent co-operation of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston the movement was stopped, and we again pressed forward, drove the enemy from his strong position, and were entering the abates when General Garland rode up and ordered me to move by the left flank. In the execution of this order the three right companies became detached, but were gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston across the Williamsburg road, and co-operating with the Fourth North Carolina, charged in the direction of the battery in the redoubt, officers and men acting nobly but suffering terribly.Having passed the opening and the abates with what was left of my command, with a part of the Twenty-fourth Virginia I again pressed forward, the enemy fighting but giving way. The swampy earth and thick undergrowth continued to check the rapid movement. The Second Florida, on my left, was hard pressed. When the Forty-ninth Virginia came up cheering upon our right the enemy began again to give way and our line went forward. About this time my horse was shot, and in falling with him I was so much injured as to be incompetent for further service.All the field officers and two-thirds of the company officers were now hors de combat, but several officers and many of the men joined other commands and fought on until night closed the engagement.[Danl. H. Christie,
Colonel Twenty-third North Carolina Regiment.]
Series I. Vol. XI (Part I) Ch. XXIII. Pgs. 967-968

Today I'm going to start a North Carolina Order of Battle. Beginning at First Manassas and ending at Bentonville. North Carolina Troops at the Battle of First Manassas, July 21, 1861.

Army of the Shenandoah:

3rd Brigade (Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee)
6th North Carolina

Army of the Potomac:

1st Brigade (Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham)
11th North Carolina

Does not seem like a lot of North Carolinians. I have read many accounts from members of different regiments describing their arrival to the Richmond - Manassas area as occurring right after the First Battle of Manassas.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

It has been a busy year for the Civil War Preservation Trust. On the docket are Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Appomattox, and now Malvern Hill. North Carolina Troops were heavily engaged at Malvern Hill, and suffered terrible casualties in the process. North Carolina native and Major General D.H. Hill said of the assault against McClellan's heavily fortified line, "It was not war, it was murder." Once again, please join the Civil War Preservation Trust. They do an excellent job at preserving the land that these men fought over. Here is the link to the Malvern Hill opportunity: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/malvernhill/malvern-hill-2009/

Friday, November 20, 2009

Next weekend I am going to make a much anticipated visit to Fort Anderson in old Brunswick Town, N.C. I have lived in North Carolina my entire life and there are still so many historic places I have never been, and this is one of them. My great-great grandfather was at the Battle of Fort Anderson, February 18, 1865. After the fall of Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, located on the Cape Fear River, was one of the last defensive positions protecting Wilmington. Find out more here: http://www.nchistoricsites.org/brunswic/brunswic.htm

Thursday, November 12, 2009

This is from a collection of letters in the N.C. Archives, written by J.F. Shaffner, Surgeon of the 4th N.C.T. His fiance's cousin Alf had been wounded severely in the arm and was home on furlough. Date is September 13th, 1864.

I had a letter from your cousin Alf a few days ago, answered it yesterday. He complains of having occasional “restless spells”, and proposes a visit to the Army is palliative.

I wonder if his spells of restlessness were because he could'nt adjust back to civilian life, or even being away from the army. Alf's thinking that a visit to the army would help maybe verifies this. Or he possibly had that feeling that is read about in personal accounts of World War 2 soldiers, the feeling of not wanting to be away from buddies, not letting them down, etc. Anyway I thought it was interesting. "Restless spells", possible PTSD?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Whether you agree with any war, which, other than two, I don't, we should still honor the men who fought and died for whatever cause they believed. They saw things that will stick with them forever, good and bad. So here's to my:
Dad
Chief Petty Officer, USN
Vietnam

Monday, November 9, 2009

There is a great preservation opportunity afloat to purchase some core battlefield acreage at Chancellorsville. Also, with the unfortunate arrival of yet another Wal-Mart in the Wilderness, Fredericksburg area, some acreage is available along Rte. 3 that appears to me to be a nice little buffer against future development on said highway.http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville/chancellorsville-2009/

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

This Halloween I will be at Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, participating in the annual lantern tour/ ghostwalk. Oakwood Cemetery is the home of almost 1,500 North Carolina Confederate dead, including 103 of North Carolina Gettysburg dead. Brigadier Generals G.B. Anderson, Robert F. Hoke, William R. Cox, and Thomas F. Toon are buried here. Also, Colonel Henry K. Burgwyn Jr. of the 26th N.C.T. More information here: http://www.historicoakwoodcemetery.com/

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Well, I returned in one warm piece from Cedar Creek Sunday. It was definitely cold throughout the weekend and wet Saturday. Finished accumulating sources for the 2nd North Carolina State Troops at the State Archives in Raleigh today, and started taking photos and transcribing some for the 4th Regiment. Once the 4th is done, then onto the 14th and the 30th. All for what I hope will be a history of the Anderson/Ramseur/Cox brigade. That is still a long way off though. Much more research to do, many more primary sources to peruse, photograph, and transcribe, and then the writing process. Who knows when that will actually start. It is assuredly a work in progress.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

This is from acting adjutant Samuel P. Collier of the 2nd North Carolina State Troops, of Cox' Brigade. Collier was away on regimental business and missed the battle of Cedar Creek, but his views of the condition of the valley army, and his disgust at the "stampede" of Cedar Creek, were universally held. (This is from the Collier Papers, North Carolina State Archives).

Camp near New MarketOct 22nd 1864

My Dear Parents

I arrived here safely yesterday and found every thing in perfect confusion. Our Regt numbered about 60 men but they are coming in hourly from the mountains whither they took refuge when the stampede occurred at Middletown. I will give you the particulars of it or as far as I have heard. It seems that the morning after I left or rather the same evening they started forward and by marching all night succeeded in getting completely on the enemys flank at Cedar Creek. The flanking party consisted of Ramseurs, Gordons, and Pegrams while Whartons and Kershaws were to attack in front. At daylight the attack was made simultaneous upon the enemys camp, who were sound asleep, they immediately ran, leaving every thing just as they were standing, wagons, artillery, sutlers and medical stores and Quarter Masters goods. We immediately charged them, they ran but were soon rallied but only to run again. We drove them as far down as Middletown when we halted. The enemy were reinforced by the 6th Corps which had been stationed at Winchester. They now had Three Corps and greatly outnumbered us but we would have easily repulsed them had the men been at their post but they were off plundering the enemys camps. They charged our line and succeeded in breaking through Gordons line (who occupied the left) who immediately broke and ran in every direction. We captured 18 pieces of artillery but lost it all and 12 more in the stampede. Lost also a good many ambulances and wagons. Maj Genl Ramseur was wounded (mortally I am afraid) and captured Gen Battle was also wounded. Cousin Bryan Cobb was struck on the head but did not enter the skull. He will be home I expect before this reaches you. I do not know who was to blame in the affair. This army will certainly have to undergo at least two months of the most rigid discipline before they will fight and this army will certainly have to change commanders before it can be done for Genl Early is no disciplinarian. He is one of the best military men of the present time. Take Genl Lee out and I don’t think he has his equal. That movement was the most excellent planned affair that was ever known and I am sure we would have been successful but for the men plundering. I must soon close. Best love to all. Write soon.Affectionate SonSam. P. CollierP.S. I am acting adjutant of the Regt. Adjutant Dillingham being either killed or captured or he may be in the mountains and will come in.Sam P.C.

This is the official report of Colonel John R. Winston commanding the 43rd and 45th regiments.

LIEUTENANT: In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part the two regiments under my command took in the battle of Cedar Creek on the 19th instant: We had crossed the pike, when we came in closer range of the enemy. It is useless to mention what happened before, more than the fact that the men went through a camp just as it was deserted, with hats, boots, blankets, tents, and such things as tempt our soldiers, scattered over it, and after diligent inquiry I heard of but one man who even stooped to pick up a thing. He got a hat, and has charges preferred against him. Under orders, I deployed the Forty-fifth Regiment as skirmishers in front of the brigade after we had crossed the pike. It moved forward some 200 or 300 yards, when it was halted and ordered to lie down under a heavy artillery fire, several having been struck with shell. I was ordered back to take command of the Forty-third Regiment, having left Captain Wharton in command of the Forty-fifth. The whole line then moved forward. Instead of striking the enemy's line squarely face to face, our brigade, being on the right, would have struck their line in an angling direction but this would expose our right flank to too distressing a fire, as the left of the Sixth Corps was strongly posted on the pike on the woody eminence near which our right would have crossed. Colonel Cowand having been detached with the Thirty-second as skirmishers on the pike, the balance of his command (Fifty-third and Second Battalion) had no commander. When they (composing the right of our brigade) began to be much annoyed from the fire above mentioned, in obedience to orders, I assumed command of them, and they moved squarely to the right and gallantly ran the enemy from the woods, and for some time held their ground against great odds, firing both from flank and front and in close range. I take pleasure in mentioning this splendid conduct of these troops because their brave commander was in another part of the field and had not the opportunity of observing them as I did. My own regiments moved straight forward with the rest of the army. As above mentioned, I did not have the pleasure of going with them; but their conduct was such as usually characterizes sons of our dear old State. The colors at one time were in twenty or thirty steps of the enemy. Here we lost Lieutenant Vines, Company E, Forty-third. I unhesitatingly pronounce him one of the most efficient officers of his grade in our service; no one was braver. After the Sixth Corps had been repulsed nothing notable occurred till late in the evening, when the enemy made his final charge. Our brigade was ordered forward to meet him; so all moved off together, and after a few rounds the enemy retreated in confusion. Soon our own army began to fall back in confusion on the left and then to stampede. My command, with the brigade, fell back according to orders, to a first and then to a second line; but the stampede soon became so mixed no officer whose men had fallen back far, and particularly on the left of the pike, could find his men. My flag was for some time in rear of our army. I had to hurry up the color bearer for fear the colors would be captured, and the enemy reaching Strasburg first, my colors accompanied me, with many others, around the left of Fishers Hill. Until the stampede began the conduct of officers and men, with very few exceptions, was very commendable. Even then the color bearer, Sergeant Barnes, Company 0, Forty-third, deported himself (I use the strongest term) as well as it was possible for man to do. My command acted well till the stampede began. With the co-operation of officers and men, should our army be disgraced with another stampede, under the direction of God, my command will not.Very respectfully, your obedient servant,John R. Winston,Colonel

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

This weekend is the 145th anniversary of the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. There were several regiments of North Carolina infantry that participated in the battle. They are as follows:
Ramseur's Division:
Grimes' Brigade:
32nd North Carolina
53rd North Carolina
43rd North Carolina
45th North Carolina
2nd North Carolina Battalion

Cox' Brigade:
1st North Carolina
2nd North Carolina
3rd North Carolina
4th North Carolina
14th North Carolina
30th North Carolina

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I know this is hard to see in this picture. Here is a link to a higher quality one. http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/cwp/4a39000/4a39500/4a39531r.jpg
Colonel Charles Courtenay Tew of the 2nd NC State Troops was killed at the Bloody Lane at Antietam while standing next to Colonel John B. Gordon of the 6th Alabama, while they were observing the advance of Weber's Brigade of French's Union Second Corps division. According to Col. Gordon,

" The first volley from the Union lines in my front sent a ball through the brain of the chivalric Colonel Tew, of North Carolina, to whom I was talking, and another ball through the calf of my right leg."

Colonel Tew's body was never recovered. When the Federals broke through the sunken road position, a soldier in the 8th Ohio of Kimball's brigade found Colonel Tew in a propped up position on the (in this picture) right bank of the road, still gripping his sword laying across his lap. Now, in Time Life's Voices of the Civil War: Antietam, this photo, taken by Alexander Gardner, claims that the body on the bottom right of the frame is probably Col. Tew. I have never seen this referenced before in describing this picture. In William Frassanito's excellent work on the photos of Antietam, he describes this picture thus,

"The portion of Bloody Lane visible in the foreground was occupied during the battle by the left-flank unit of G.B. Anderson's brigade, the Second North Carolina, and it is probable that most of the Confederate dead pictured in this photograph were members of that regiment. It was here, at the bend in Bloody Lane (where the left of Anderson's brigade connected with the right of Rodes' Alabama brigade), that Barlow's Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York regiments first overran the Confederate line."

Frassanito does not mention Tew. I viewed this image in a high quality TIFF format, and compared it to images of Col. Tew like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cctew.jpg. The face had blood on it, possibly from the temple, the man had a mustache, as did the Colonel, but the man in the photo had more hair on his head, than Col. Tew who appears decidedly balding. Again, the photo of the bodies is from the side, so it is hard to tell if that is him. The face is swollen so it is hard to compare the two images. I did notice close by him a cartridge box, and what looks like the accompanying strap, which could indicate that this man was a common soldier, or this could just be detritus from the battle. Maybe this is one of those many photos of soldiers dead and alive that we will never know who they were.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have just started a new job (thank God). I was at Broadfoot's in Wendell, and if you live in the area you NEED to go to Broadfoot's for your books on the war. Thousands of titles for very good prices. Friday I hightailed it over there after work not intending to spend too much, needless to say I purchased the first six volumes of Manarin and Jordan's exhaustive work, NC Troops A Roster series. The 17th volume was released a couple months ago covering the service records of the North Carolina Junior Reserves. This whole series retails for around $700. I purchased the first 6 volumes for about $100, brand new. Check out their site here.http://www.broadfootpublishing.com/

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

During my visit to the Archives this past Saturday, I was browsing through the John B. Chesson papers. In one particular letter one of Chesson's sons? wrote about preparations for winter quarters at Camp Potomac near Fredericksburg, VA. The 2nd North Carolina State Troops are mentioned, but I have not found a Chesson in the muster rolls for the regiment. Hmmm. Anyway here is what he had to say about winter quarters, written November 16, 1861. I had a hard time transcribing this letter. Penmanship was not this gents. forte nor punctuation. I will do some more searching and see if I can come up with this man's unit. Stay tuned.

The regiment has slightly scattered about the neighborhood erecting winter quarters when we can find the material I am myself however upon the old ground still with one of the companies I am still in a tent though I have dug a small cellar in one side of it and cut a fireplace out of the bank of earth thus obtained. When it does not smoke or let the wooden [illegible] or upper [illegible] afire it keeps me quite comfortable, and at night with all the bedding I can muster I find it difficult to keep tolerably warm. I have not yet tried the newspapers.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple weeks. Been out of work the last couple months and it has been a struggle. Not a lot of time to blog when job hunting. This past weekend me and my pards were in the mountains of West Virginia for the Assault on Allegheny campaign event. Marched 7 miles on Saturday followed by the fight. Rained cats and dogs all that night and we had to evacuate. Needless to say Sunday and Monday I was catching up on some rest. I will be at the Archives tomorrow for some more transcribing. I'm going to start transcribing some of the articles and letters of John C. Gorman, Company B 2nd NCT.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Was at the North Carolina Division of Archives and History on Saturday doing some research for my Ramseur's brigade project. Transcribed a few letters. Here is one written by Colonel Charles Courtenay Tew, commander of the 2nd NCT. The Hillsboro he mentions is the Hillsboro Military Academy of which he was the superintendent. This letter was written on May 9th, 1861 at Fort Macon North Carolina. Question marks are guesses on my part.

Dearest Wife,

I scarcely can miss an opportunity of sending you a letter and as Whitted? is going up I avail myself of his services.Dr. Jones told me this afternoon that you and Mrs. J were coming down soon, and I hope it is true, though you will not see the fort in as good order as you would if the visit was postponed a fortnight. The Newbern ladies were to come anon? yesterday, but they have not done so yet. [illegible] Annie Roulhac? Finland to name our big Columbiad after her, "Annie". Several of the guns bear ladies names. I am comfortable enough down here, but have not taken my pants off [illegible] night yet_ think of that. Mrs. T. boots and coat only are removed; to bed from 12 to 1.30 and up in time for drill at 61/2 A.M. We live right well too; I get any quantity of presents? from the officers and men, and flowers etc. from the ladies, but you need not say anything about that. What is Hamilton doing? I heard something about his going to Weldon to take charge of a company, is it so?I see that our arms resolution has been brought up and killed in the House; I have just sent a note to Shelman? about it which you will probably see in the State Journal. Without being positive on the subject I certainly never expect to receive or accept from the Legislature of N.C. any favors, any pay, any return for services or any anything else. What turn things may take it is impossible to say, but I feel as though I never wanted the legislature to notice the academy at all. One thing is certain; I am confident private patronage enough to keep off the necessity of applying to the legislature. By the way I wonder whether the Hearth? family have been yet brought back [illegible] that the H.M.A? is of any use to the State or to Hillsboro:Come down and bring the children if only for two days. Perhaps you may get a free ticket; I know you would if Mr. Fisher was aware of your intention. I hope all our Cadets will pay up soon_Yours Respectfully (have Richardson write to me)Courtenay

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I'd like to start a reading list pertaining to North Carolina State Troops. These can be regimental histories, brigade histories, memoirs, etc. Here is what I have come up with so far:

1. Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions From North Carolina in the Great War 1861-'65. 5 volumes. by Walter Clark.
Written by members of each unit of state troops, this is one of the most important regimental history collections available.

2. North Carolina Troops 1861-1865: A Roster. 17 volumes. by Weymouth T. Jordan and Louis H. Manarin.
The 17th volume has just been issued covering Junior Reserves and this set is definitive, with brief regimental and company histories as well the names and service records of each state troop and volunteer. The best of its kind.

3. Lee's Tar Heels: The Pettigrew-Kirkland-MacRae Brigade, by Earl J. Hess.
Excellent brigade history of one of Lee's largest brigades composed of the 11th, 26th, 44th, and 52nd NC.

4. More Terrible Than Victory: North Carolina's Bloody Bethel Regiment, 1861-65, by Craig S. Chapman.
Tells the story of the 1st North Carolina Volunteers (11th NCT), the unit that suffered the South's first battle death.

5. Covered With Glory: The 26th North Carolina Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg, by Rod Gragg.
Excellent account of the regiments service with a focus on the Gettysburg Campaign.

6. The Thirty-Seventh North Carolina Troops: Tar Heels in the Army of Northern Virginia, by Michael C. Hardy.

7. The 25th North Carolina Troops in the Civil War: History and Roster of a Mountain-Bred Regiment, by Carroll C. Jones.

8. The 55th North Carolina in the Civil War: A History and Roster, by Jeffrey M. Girvan.

9. The Bloody Sixth: The Sixth North Carolina Regiment C.S.A., by Richard William Iobst.

10. The 4th North Carolina Cavalry in the Civil War: A History and Roster, by Neil Hunter Raiford

11. History of the 16th North Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War, by George H. Mills.

12. The Twenty Eighth North Carolina: A Civil War History and Roster, by Francis H. Casstevens.

13. The Guilford Grays : Co. B, 27th NC Regiment, by John A. Sloan.

14. The Anson Guards: History of Company C 14th Regiment, N.C.V. Army of Northern Virginia, by W.A. Smith.

Friday, July 3, 2009

This is an excerpt from Louis Leon's "Diary of A Confederate Soldier". Leon was a private in the 53rd North Carolina (Daniel's brigade, Rodes' division, Ewell's Second Corps).

July 1 - We left camp at 6 A.M., passed through Heidelsburg and Middleton. At the latter place we heard firing in the direction of Gettysburg. We were pushed forward after letting the wagon trains get in our rear. We got to Gettysburg at 1 P.M., 15 miles. We were drawn up in line of battle about one mile south of town, and a little to the left of the Lutheran Seminary. We then advanced to the enemy's line of battle in double quick time. We had not gotten more than 50 paces when Norman of our company fell dead by my side. Katz was going to pick him up. I stopped him, as it is strictly forbidden for anyone to help take the dead or wounded off the field except the ambulance corps. We then crossed over a rail fence, where our Lieutenant McMatthews and Lieutenant Alexander were both wounded. That left us with a captain and one lieutenant. After this we got into battle in earnest, and lost in our company very heavily, both killed and wounded. This fight lasted four hours and a half, when at last we drove them clear out of town, and took at least 3,000 prisoners. They also lost very heavily in killed and wounded, which all fell into our hands. After the fight our company was ordered to pick up all straggling Yankees in town, and bring them together to be brought to the rear as prisoners. One fellow I took up could not speak one word of English, and the first thing he asked me in Germanwas "Will I get my pay in prison?" After we had them all put up in a pen we went to our regiment and rested. Major Iredell, of our regiment, came to me and shook my hand, and also complimented me for action in the fight. At dusk I was about going to hunt up my brother Morris, when he came to me. Thank God, we are both safe as yet. We laid all night among the dead Yankees, but they did not disturb our peaceful slumbers.

July 2 - Our division was in reserve until dark, but our regiment was supporting a battery all day. We lost several killed and wounded, although we had no chance to fire - only lay by a battery of artillery and be shot at. The caisson of the battery we were supporting was blown up and we got a big good sprinkling of the wood from it. Just at dark we were sent to the front under terrible cannonading. Still, it was certainly a beautiful sight. It being dark, we could see the cannon vomit forth fire. Our company had to cross a rail fence. It gave way and several of our boys were hurt by others walking over them. We laid down here a short time, in fact no longer than 10 minutes, when I positively fell asleep. The cannonading did not disturb me. One of the boys shook me and told me Katz was wounded by a piece of a shell striking him on the side, and he was sent to the rear. We went on to the Baltimore Turnpike until 3 in the morning of the 3d.

July 3 - When under a very heavy fire, we were ordered on Culps Hill, to the support of Gen. A.Johnson. Here we stayed all day - no, here, I may say, we melted away. We were on the brow of one hill, the enemy on the brow of another. We charged on them several times, but of course, running down our hill, and then to get to them was impossible, and every time we attempted it we came back leaving some of our comrades behind. Here our Lieutenant Belt lost his arm. We have now in our company a captain. All of our lieutenants are wounded. We fought here until 7 P.M., when what was left of us was withdrawn and taken to the first day's battlefield. At the commencement of this fight our Brigade was the strongest in our division, but she is not now. We lost the most men, for we were in the fight all the time, and I have it from Colonel Owens that our regiment lost the most in the Brigade. I know that our company went in the fight with 60 men. When we left Culps Hill there were 16 of us that answered to the roll call. The balance were all killed and wounded. There were 12 sharpshooters in our company and now John Cochran and myself are the only ones that are left. This day none will forget, that participated in the fight. It was truly awful how fast, how very fast, did our poor boys fall by our sides - almost as fast as the leaves that fell as cannon and musket balls hit them, as they flew on their deadly errand. You could see one with his head shot off, others cut in two, then one with his brain oozing out, one with his leg off, others shot through the heart. Then you would hear some poor friend or foe crying for water, or for "God's sake" to kill him. You would see some of your comrades, shot through the leg, lying between the lines, asking his friends to take him out, but no one could get to his relief, and you would have to leave him there, perhaps to die, or, at best, to become a prisoner. Our brigade was the only one that was sent to Culps Hill to support General Johnson. In our rapid firing today my gun became so hot that the ramrod would not come out, so I shot it at the Yankees, and picked up a gun from the ground, a gun that some poor comrade dropped after being shot. I wonder if it hit a Yankee; if so, I pity him. Our regiment was in a very exposed position at one time to-day, and our General Daniels ordered a courier of his to bring us from the hill. He was killed before he got to us. The General sent another. He was also killed before he reached us. Then General Daniels would not order any one, but called for volunteers. Capt. Ed. Stitt, of Charlotte, one of his aides, responded, and he took us out of the exposed position.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Today is the 146th anniversary of the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. Here is the diary entries for A.D. Betts, chaplain of the 30th NC (Ramseur's brigade, Rode's Division, Ewell's Second Corps). These are taken from Betts' "Experiences of a Confederate Chaplain".

July 1 - Division moves six miles by Middle Town and six and a half to Gettysburg and drive the enemy two miles. Col. Parker, Capt. C.N. Allen, Lieut. Brown and many others are wounded. Among the killed are: G.L. Swain, S.M. Hewitt, John C. Goodwin, John H. Mason, and J.B. Whitley.Col. Parker's wound was in the face. The ball entered just below one eye and came out just below the other, cutting the nasal tubes. When I knelt by him and prayed for him and his wife and his children, he seemed about to strangle with the blood. I stopped praying and held my arm lovingly over him till he was quiet. He got home, returned to duty, and received another wound at Spottsylvania, and was then put on post duty. Capt. Allen's arm was so broken up that it had to be amputated. His case will interest others. He had an idea that surgeons were fond of cutting off men's limbs. Dr. Briggs asked me to see him and try to influence him, for he refused to allow his arm amputated. Capt. Allen had lately married Miss Johns in Wake County, N.C. I prayed silently as I went to where he lay. Kneeling by him, I said, "Capt. I long for you to get home and see that lovely young wife, who is praying for you, but you will never see her if you try to keep that arm." We looked silently into each others eyes. After a while he said, "Mr. Betts, I wish you would call Briggs to me" I called Dr. Briggs! (Nine years after I met him in Wake. He took me to his home. Introducing me to his wife he said,"Bro. Betts, I want to confess to you in the presence of my wife that I owe my life to you." The reader must imagine my feelings.)

July 2 - Part of the day among wounded men. Visited Brigade in town. A fearful fight from 3 till 9 p.m.

July 3 - Move hospital early. Brother Stradley and I were riding over the fields from one hospital to another, when I fell from my horse at noon, not knowing I had fallen, and remaining unconscious for an hour. Loss of sleep and excitement may have led to the vertigo. God could take a man out of this world without his knowing anything of it. Col. Bennett wounded. Lieut. Connell of Co. G., killed.

This is the report of Captain J.J. Young, quartermaster of the 26th North Carolina State Troops (Pettigrew's brigade, Heth's division, Hill's Third Corps).

Near Gettysburg, PA.,July 4, 1863.My Dear Governor: I will trespass a few minutes upon your indulgence to communicate the sad fate that has befallen the old Twenty-Sixth.The heaviest conflict of the war has taken place in this vicinity. It commenced July1, and raged furiously until late last night. Heth's division, of A.P. Hill's corps, opened the ball, and Pettigrew's brigade was the advance. We went in with over 800 men in the regiment. There came out but 216, all told, unhurt. Yesterday they were again engaged, and now have only about 80 men for duty.To give you an idea of the frightful loss in officers: Heth being wounded, Pettigrew commands the division, and Maj. [J.] Jones our brigade. Eleven men were shot down the first day with our colors; yesterday they were lost. Poor Colonel Burgwyn, jr., was shot through both lungs, and died shortly afterward. His loss is great, for he had but few equals of his age. Captain McCreery, of General Pettigrew's staff, was shot through the heart and instantly killed; with them Lieutenant-Colonel Lane through the neck, jaw, and mouth, I fear mortally; Adjutant [James B.] Jordan in the hip, severely; Captain [J.T.] Adams, shoulder, seriously; Stoke's McRae's thigh broken; Captain [William] Wilson was killed; Lieutenants [John W.] Richardson and [J.B.] Holloway have died of their wounds. It is thought Lieutenant [M] McLeod and Captain [N.G.] Bradford will die.Nearly all the rest of the officers were slightly wounded. [I.A.] Jarrat, I had forgot to mention- in the face and hand. Yesterday, Captain [S.P.] Wagg was shot through by grape and instantly killed; Lieutenant [G.] Broughton in the head, and instantly killed; [Alexander] Saunders was wounded and [J.R.] Emerson left on the field for dead. Captain [H.C.] Albright is the only captain left in the regiment unhurt, and commands the regiment. Lieutenants [J.A.] Lowe, [M.B] Blair, [T.J.] Cureton, and [C.M.] Sudderth are all of the subalterns. Colonel Faribault, of the Forty-Seventh, is severely wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel [J.A] Graves and Major [A.D] Crudup supposed killed. Colonel Marshall and Major [J.Q.] Richardson, of the Fifty-Second, supposed to be killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Parks dangerously wounded; Colonel Leventhorpe badly wounded; Major Ross killed.Our whole division numbers but only 1,500 or 1,600 effective men, as officially reported, but, of course, a good many will still come in. The division at the beginning numbered about 8,000 effective men.I hear our army is generally badly cut up. We will fall back about 5 miles, to draw the enemy, if possible, from his impregnable position. It was a second Fredericksburg affair, only the wrong way. We had to charge over a mile a stone wall in an elevated position.I learn the loss of the enemy is terrible. We have taken 10,000 or 15,000 prisoners in all. Yesterday, in falling back, we had to leave the wounded; hence the uncertainty of a good many being killed late yesterday evening. I must close.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

This report is written by Major Samuel McD. Tate, Sixth North Carolina State Troops (Hoke's brigade, Early's division, Ewell's Second Corps)

In Bivouac, near Hagerstown, MD.July 8, 1863.My Dear Governor: Excuse the necessity of writing with pencil, and the familiarity with which I address you; but moments are precious, and while I am yet spared I must hasten to perform a sacred duty to you as the honored head of North Carolina, and to her brave citizen soldiers, especially those under my command. The great reason for this is the fact that it was North Carolinians only who succeeded in entering the enemy's works at Gettysburg; that our brigade commander was slain, and we have no friends who will tell of our success on the night of July 2, because all but the Sixth Regiment failed.Our brigadier general (Hoke) being absent, wounded, since the battle of Fredericksburg, May 4, Colonel Avery was acting in his stead. Lieutenant Colonel [R.F.] Webb being absent in Virginia, sick, left me in command of the Sixth in this Pennsylvania campaign. But this, with the fear of being suspected of a desire to claim more on that account, shall not deter me from complying with a promise I have made the regiment to acquaint you as their Governor with the truth, that history hereafter may speak truly of them. Let me say at once that I desire nothing and wish no notoriety; but I do want the glorious band of veterans in this regiment to be appreciated and honored at home. They are rapidly passing away, but North Carolina will have reason to point with pride to their valorous deeds.On July 1, the Confederate Army made a general attack on the enemy posted in front of Gettysburg. Of Early's division, the Louisiana and Hoke's brigades were advanced to charge the enemy, behind fences. It was rapidly done (and, is our usual fortune, immediatley in our front was a stone fence), and the enemy driven before us through the town to their fortified heights behind.In this charge we lost a number of gallant officers and men (more than the balance of the brigade), and captured a battery near the fence. This battery will be credited to Early's Division- see if it don't. The Virginia and Georgia brigades were held in reserve. Next day (2nd), we were ordered (Louisiana and North Carolina brigades) to charge the heights. Now, it is proper to state that there are a series of heights there, upon which the enemy had been driven from all around. Longstreet charged on the south face, and was repulsed; A P Hill charged on the west face, and was repulsed; and our two brigades were, late in the evening, ordered to charge the north front, and, after a struggle such as this was has furnished no parallel to, 75 North Carolinians of the Sixth Regiment and 12 Louisianians of Hay's brigade scaled the walls, and planted the colors of the Sixth North Carolina and Ninth Louisiana on the guns. It was now fully dark. The enemy stood with a tenacity never before displayed by them, but with bayonet, clubbed musket, sword, and pistol, and rocks from the wall, we cleared the heights and silenced the guns.In vain did I send to the rear for support. It was manifest that I could not hold the place without aid, for the enemy was massed in all the ravines and adjoining heights, and we were then fully a half mile from our lines.Finding the enemy were moving up a line, I ordered the small band of heroes to fall back down the crest to a stone wall on the side of the hill, where we awaited their coming. Soon they came over the hill in pursuit, when we again opened fire on them, and cleared the hill a second time. Very soon I found they were very numerous in the flats in my rear, and now became the question of surrender or an effort to retreat. There was a calm and determined resolve never to surrender (one of our North Carolina regiments had done so the day before) and, under cover of the darkness, I ordered the men to break and to risk the fire. We did so, and lost not a man in getting out. On arriving at our lines, I demanded to know why we had not been supported, and was cooly told that it was not known that we were in the works. I have no doubt that the major-general will report the attack of the works by Hoke's and Hay's brigades, which could not be taken. Such monstrous injustice and depreciation of our efforts is calculated to be of serious injury; and then always to divide the honors due us among all our division is a liberality which is only shown in certain cases. Of course the reports are not written out; but I know the disposition so well that I look for no special mention of our regiment, while it is the only one in the Army of Northern Virginia which did go in and silence the guns on the heights; and, what is more, if a support of a brigade had been sent up to us, the slaughter of A P Hill's corps would have been saved on the day following.I still have 300 men.Colonel Avery, a gallant officer, fell in front of the heights, mortally wounded. He died thirty hours afterward. This hasty scrawl I write to you as an act of justice, and in compliance with a promise to the men, before I pass off, if fall I must. We will have an engagement here or nearer the river in a day, or less, perhaps. This regiment has had a reputation, you know, and I fear no harm which can come to it while any are left; but it is due to the noble dead, as well as the living, that these men be noticed in some way. I assure you it is no sensation or fancy pictures. Such a fight as they made in front and in the fortifications has never been equaled. Inside the works the enemy were left lying in great heaps, and most all with bayonet wounds and many with skulls broken with the breeches of our guns. We left no a living man on the hill of our enemy. I write this now for fear I will not live to write at leisure hereafter.With your sense of propriety, I need not say more than that this cannot be exactly an official document, for it has no form, no beginning, no ending, but is a simple story, badly told. All we ask is, don't let old North Carolina be derided while her sons do all the fighting.Your obedient servant, Saml. McD. Tate,Major, commanding Sixth North Carolina.Governor [Zebulon B.] Vance.[P.S.]- All my company officers are good ones, but there are also many vacancies; how are they to be filled- by election or appointment?

Today is the 146th anniversary of the start of the battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3 1863). Over the next few days I'm going to post several after action reports from different North Carolina regiments. All these are taken from the "War of the Rebellion: the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies." Cornell University has the complete records available online here: http://digital.library.cornell.edu/m/moawar/waro.html
I will start with Colonel Bryan Grimes of the 4th North Carolina State Troops (Ramseur's Brigade, Rodes' Division, Ewell's Second Corps). Written July 19, 1863 it is as follows:

Sir: In compliance with orders, I have the honor of submitting the following report as the part taken by the Fourth North Carolina State troops, under my command, in the engagements around Gettysburg, Pa:On Wednesday, July 1, we were encamped near Heidlersburg, and were under arms and on the march by sunrise. About 4 p.m. arrived near the battlefield, and formed in line of battle, being on the left of our brigade. After resting a few minutes, were ordered to advance in line of battle, which was soon countermanded. and then moved by the right flank. After proceeding a few hundred yards, this regiment, together with the Second, were recalled by Major-General Rodes, and posted on a hill to repel any attack from that quarter, as at that time there were indications of an advance on the part of the enemy. This position was parallel with the road, down which the other two regiments of our brigade had moved.After a very few minutes,- the enemy not advancing, and a regiment of theirs had been seen obliquing to the left instead of advancing toward us- General Rodes ordered me with the Second Regiment to advance. After getting from under cover of the hill, we were exposed to a severe, galling, and enfilading fire from a woods to our right, which compelled me to change front toward the right. We then advanced upon the enemy, joining our brigade, and driving them in great confusion, and, but for the fatiguing and exhausting march of the day, would have succeeded in capturing a very large number of prisoners. As it was, we captured more by far than the number of men in the command; but the troops were too exhausted to move rapidly, as they could otherwise have done. We were the first to enter the town of Gettysburg, and halted to rest on the road leading to Fairfield. We remained in that position during that night and Thursday.On Thursday evening, about dusk, we advanced to make a night attack upon the enemy's works; but when we had approached to within a few hundred yards, and drawn the fire of their pickets, which wounded several of my men, we were recalled, and placed in the road, where we remained until 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, at times subjected to severe cannonading, when we were taken to the crest of the hill in our rear, which position we retained until Sunday morning [4th], when we were withdrawn.Too much cannot be said in praise of both officers and men of my command. All conducted themselves (with a few exceptions) most admirably.Appended is the list of casualties during the engagement.I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,Bryan Grimes,Colonel Fourth North Carolina State TroopsCapt. Seaton Gales, Assistant Adjutant General

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sorry I have been MIA last few days. I have lived in North Carolina my entire life, and I still haven't explored all of her War Between the States history. Yesterday I went to the Bennett farm in Durham for the first time. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The Bennett farm was the site of the three meetings between Generals Johnston and Sherman to discuss the surrender of remaining Confederate forces. I had always figured that the retreat from Bentonville led Johnston's forces to the Raleigh-Durham area and they surrendered Appomattox style at the Bennett farm. Such was not the case. Johnston's units were spread out around the Piedmont. My ancestor's unit, the 40th North Carolina (3rd artillery) were stationed in High Point at this time. You learn something everyday.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Could use some help. I am currently researching the 2nd, 4th, 14th, and 30th NC regiments to one day write a brigade history (Anderson, Ramseur, Cox brigade). If anyone has any, or has access to any letters, diaries, or photographs of the men in these regiments, I would appreciate the assistance. I've compiled a pretty decent sized source list, but the more the merrier. You can comment here or e-mail me:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

While searching through the Official Records for some information on Ramseur's North Carolina brigade, I stumbled upon this request from General Lee to Governor Vance, written June 4 1863.
"Governor: I have the honor to call the attention of Your Excellency to the reduced condition of Brigadier-General Ramseur's brigade. It's ranks have been much thinned by the casualties of the battles in which it has been engaged, in all of which it has rendered conspicuous service. I consider its brigade and regimental commanders as among the best of their respective grades in the army, and in the late battle of Chancellorsville, where the brigade was much distinguished and suffered severely, General Ramseur was among those whose conduct was especially commended to my notice by Lieutenant-General Jackson in a message sent to me after he was wounded. I am very desirous that the efficiency of this brigade should be increased by filling its ranks, and respectfully ask that, if it be in your power, you will send on recruits for its various regiments as soon as possible. If this cannot be done, I would recommend that two additional regiments be sent to it, if they can be had. I am satisfied that the men could be used in no better way to render valuable service to the country and win credit for themselves and for their State.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee
General"
Now my question is, did Lee often mention brigades by name in requesting that a particular units ranks be filled? It seems as Ramseur's brigade was one of the better ones in the army, Lee knew this, and wanted it replenished. It could also be that when he wrote this, he was on the eve of the Gettysburg campaign, and was actively seeking reinforcements from whatever region he could find. This is well known. I just think it interesting that he appreciated and respected the fighting prowess and commanders of the brigade to make a special appeal to have their ranks in particualr filled. As mentioned, I stumbled on this today, and have not searched to find any more references to particular units from Lee.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Just wanted to share my family's North Carolina roster. First is my g-g-grandfather, and the rest, in order, are his two brothers, three first cousins, and the rest are second and third cousins. All names are on my paternal side. Feel free to share yours as well.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Just finished reading John J. Hennessy's excellent book on the Second Manassas Campaign, Return To Bull Run: The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas,http://www.amazon.com/Return-Bull-Run-Campaign-Manassas/dp/080613187X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243879988&sr=8-1. It covers the complete campaign, from Lee and Pope's showdown on the Rappahannock River to Cedar Mountain to Brawners Farm to Second Manassas to Ox Hill. In regards to North Carolina troops participation, it is light on details, but makes especial mention of the parts played mainly by Branch's Brigade (7th, 18th, 28th, 33rd, and 37th NCT) and Pender's Brigade (16th, 22nd, 34th, and 38th NCT). Both Pender and Branch were part of A.P. Hill's Light Division of Jackson's wing during the campaign. Branch was posted on the left of Jackson's line at the unfinished railroad, and was to the left rear of Maxcy Gregg's Brigade, who were heavily engaged on August 29th, 1862. Branch, as well as Pender were required to bolster portions of Hill's front line during the several assaults by Federal forces. As mentioned above, while not going into minute detail of North Carolinians participation, Hennessy does emphasize the importance played mainly by Pender and Branch in helping to sustain Hill's line on the unfinished railroad. The best book on the campaign that I have read and a must have.

Monday, May 25, 2009

On this Memorial Day, I'm not going to get into politics or the right or wrong of war. I just want to say a thank you to all those men and women who served North Carolina in her hour of need. Thousands gave the ultimate sacrifice on many a bloody field. Here's to them.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Welcome to North Carolina State Troops blog! This blog is about the men who served in the several regiments and battalions from North Carolina during the late unpleasantness. I hope to be able to share and learn from you the poster, about the North Carolina soldiers' commanders, his battles, his regiments and brigades, his weapons, his clothing, his...well, you get the picture.

I am born and raised in North Carolina. I have twenty-six relatives who bore arms in the service of the Old North State from 1861-1865. Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry, Quartermasters, you name it. I hope for this site to be a reservoir of photos, stories, letters, opinions, anything concerning North Carolina's soldiers. It is my hope to post a couple times a week. Until then, "For the honor of the Old North State, Forward!"